Greek Prime minister Antonis Samaras (R) is applauded by his parliamentaries after his closing speech at the Greek parliament in Athens on November 11, 2012 . Greece's government faces another crucial test when lawmakers vote on the 2013 budget just days after parliament narrowly adopted an austerity package aimed at securing a new slice of international aid for the debt-crippled country. (LOUISA GOULIAMAKI/AFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images

ATHENS, Greece - Greek lawmakers have approved the country's 2013 austerity budget, an essential step in Greece's efforts to persuade its international creditors to unblock a vital rescue loan installment without which the country will go bankrupt.

The approval by majority vote early Monday comes four days after a separate bill of deep spending cuts and tax hikes over the next two years squeaked past with a narrow majority in the 300-member Parliament following severe disagreements among the three parties in the governing coalition.

Finance ministers from the 17 eurozone countries meet in Brussels later Monday, with Greece high on the agenda.

But German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has said international creditors won't be rushed into approving the loan disbursement.

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Protesters hold a banner with anti austerity slogans as they walk past an advertisement during the first day of the 48-hour nationwide general strike, in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Giorgos Nisiotis)

A woman speaks on the phone as graffiti on the wall reads on the wall " sex and the strike take time" during a demo in Athens on Tuesday Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Dimitri Messinis)

Protesters chant slogans during the first day of the 48-hour nationwide general strike, in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Giorgos Nisiotis)

Protesters hold a banner with anti-austerity slogans during the first day of the 48-hour nationwide general strike, in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, Greece, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Giorgos Nisiotis)

A woman takes part in a protest outside the Greek parliament during the first day of the 48-hour nationwide general strike, in Athens, on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)